Question about "Trailer Tow" option...

[zman]

Does anyone know if a truck purchased without the "trailer tow" option still has the wiring in place for hooking up a trailer brake box? Other than the hitch and the plug, what else is missing? Thanks.



Steve

 

[JSchooley]

Don't know about the new trucks, but my '97 did not have the trailer tow package and the wiring was not the same.



There was no harness connection for the brake controller, the wires to the tail lights were smaller gauge, and there was no relay for the running lights.



I hooked the brake and running lights to the existing wiring and the trailer lights were somewhat dim. I would recommend an aftermarket relay package to run the trailer lights. I don't know of any brands but I have heard they exist.



I ran some pretty heavy wire for the brake circuit and charge circuit. #10 or #8 if I remember correct. You can't be too big. Be sure your ground wire is also beafy. It should be able to take all the current in the other wires added together.



Good Luck with the wiring.

 

[Idaho Native]

My '99 2500 with the trailer tow group was essentially a "plug and play. " The factory harness had the wire in it... all I had to do was plug the brake controller into the harness just forward of the emergency brake under the dash and then mount the controller. No "wiring" or "splicing" required. Took longer to get the controller unit properly adjusted for my trailer than it did to mount the thing



Loren